Fruit-grader.



J. A. WOODS.

FRUIT GBADER.

APPLICATION TILED rm.19,1s1s.

1, 1 1 8,334, Patented Nov. 24, 1914- 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Jar/2&5 wads. M Qktozmug HIE NORRIS PETERS CO PHOTO-LITHCL, WAhH/NG ruN,D. c

J. A. WOODS.

FRUIT GRADER.

APPLICATION rlLnn FEBJQ, 1013.

1 1 1 8,834. Patented Nov. 24. 1914.

4 SHEETS- SHEET 2.

imwwwfo z THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTOLITHO" WASHINGTON, D, C

J. A. WOODS.

FRUIT GRADBR.

APPLICATION rum) rnn.1o,w1a.

1 1 1 8,834, Patented Nov. 24, 1914,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I //3 anuento'v MEI/11a; 12.1%006/1 351, @i/m/M/ attorney J. A. WOODS.

FRUIT GRADER.

APPLICATION FILED rm.10,1013.

1 1 1 8,834. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

4 SHEETS-4311111?! 4.

Fig.1.

M 61mm,

.HE NORRIS PEYFRi C0 PHOTOYLIFHO, WASHINIJION, I). c

; narrate srarss ragsnrornion.

JAMES A. WOODS, OF OGDEN, UTAH, ASSIGNOR TO WOODS AUTOMATIC FRUITGRADING MACHINE COMPANY, OF OGDEN, UTAH, A. CORPORATION OF UTAH.

FRUIT-GRADER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24:, 1914.

Application filed February 19, 1913. Serial No. 749,491.

citizen of the United States, residing at Ogw den, in the county ofWeber and State of Utah, have invented new and useful Improvements inFruit-Graders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to fruitor vegetable grading machines, and moreparticularly to the class of fruit or vegetable assorting apparatus.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a machine ofthis type wherein fruit or vegetables fed into the same will be assortedaccording to the varying sizes thereof, and delivered into therespective chutes therefor for discharging on to a gathering table orother support, thereby obviating the necessity of the hand assorting ofthe fruits or vegetables.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine of thistype wherein the assorting rotor is formed with a series of adjustablepockets which will automatically deliver different sizesiof fruits andvegetables into chutes for the discharge thereof from the machine afterassortment thereof.

A further object of the invention isthe provision of a machine of thistype wherein fruits or vegetables willbe assorted during the continuedoperation of the machine for the grading of the said fruits orvegetables in a quick and convenient manner.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine ofthis character wherein the assorting pockets within the rotor areautomatically adjusted for the grading of the fruits or vegetables toassort the same during the rotation of the said rotor, thereby obviatingthe hand assorting of the fruits or vegetables.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine ofthis character which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable andefficient in operation, requiring the least possible manual power forthe working thereof, and also which may be manufactured at a minimumexpense.

'With these and other objects in view the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts which will behereinafter more full described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and

pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings :--Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructedin accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.Fig. 3 is a fragmental vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same.Fig. is a vertical transverse sectional view.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is anenlarged fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view through therotor or wheel. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the series of adjustable gradeblocks. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of a rotor showing amodified form of pocket therein. Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line99 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectionalview thrmigh the rotor. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective viewthereof.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings by numerals. the machine comprises asupporting frame including spaced horizontally disposed top bars 10,vertical legs 11, and intermediate braces 12, the top bars 10 and braces12 being fastened to the legs 11 in any desirable manner, although inthis instance the same are shown connected by means of cross bolts 13carrying the usual nuts 14:, and arranged within this frame is anassorting rotor presently described.

The rotor comprises spaced annular rims 14 and 15 respectively, whichhave connected thereto at intervals cross bars 16, the rim 1% beingsecured to the outer ends of radially extending spokes 17 which arefastened at their inner ends to a central disk 18 provided with asuitable l1ub19 which is journaled upon a stud axle 20 mounted in thebraces 12 at a medial point thereof. Arranged uponthe rotor at theperimeter thereof between the rims 1 1 and 15 are a series of adjustablepockets, each including stationary side and end wings 20 and 21.,respectively, and adjustable side and end wings 22 and 23, respectively,the stationary wings 20 and 21 being arranged in inwardly convergingrelation to each other, and likewise the adjustable wings 22 and 23 areadapted to lie in inwardly converging planes with respect to each otherso that the space between the said wings will accommodate a fruit orvegetable when delivered thereinto. By reason of the adjustability ofthe wings 22 and 23 the extent of the openings between all of the wingsforming each pocket can be varied so as to properly assort varying sizesof fruits or vegetables carried by the rotor into delivery chutespresently described. Each adjustable side wing 22 is designed to abutagainst the free edge of the adjustable end wing 23 so as to limit theoutward swinging movement of the said wing 22, while the outwardswinging movement of the wing 23 is limited by means of a stop extension2st formed on each cross bar 16 of the rotor, the inward swingingmovement of the side plates 22 and the adjustability thereof beingcontrolled in a manner presently described.

Arranged slightly above the axis of the rotor are a series of deliverychutes 25, 26, 27 and 28, respectively, the inner ends of which extendbeneath the pockets throughout a greater portion of the uppermostportion of the rotor, while they outer ends are projected laterally fromone side of the frame exteriorly thereof for communication with agathering table or other support, and these chutes are adapted toreceive the fruit or vegetables from the pockets of the rotor, which areadapted to assort the same for the delivery of different sizes of fruitsinto their respective chutes.

Mounted upon the frame atthe top thereof is a feed trough 29 which isdownwardly inclined so as to gravitate the fruits or vegetables placedtherein for distributing the same into the pockets at the perimeter ofthe rotor during the rotation thereof for the assortment of the saidfruits or vegetables into respective chutes during the continuedoperation of the machine, the sides of the said trough being disposed inupwardly diverging relation to each other so as to properly line up thevegetables or fruits to assure the delivery of the same singly to therotor and prevent the bunching thereof in the pockets of the rotor.

Mounted in a pair of the legs 11 of the frame near the lower endsthereof is a driving shaft 30 to which is fixed a belt pulley 31 havingtrained thereover an endless belt 32 which is also trained over one ofthe I rims 14 or 15 of the rotor so that when the to the respectivechutes 25, 26, 27 and 28, the larger sizes of fruits or vegetables beingejected from the pockets in the rotor through the medium of an ejectingarm 36 stationarily mounted upon one of the braces 12 in the path ofmovement of the adjustable side wings 22 so that the latter will bemoved in a direction to throw the said fruits or vegetables from therespective pockets at the point of communication thereof with the chute35 during therotation of the rotor or the continued operation of themachine.

Suitablymounted for adjustment in one of the top bars 10 of the frameare a series of grade blocks 37, 38 and 39 which are arranged to projectinto the path of the side wings 22 which are connected to the rim 15 bymeans of hinges 40 so as to automatically adjust the said wings forincreasing or decreasing the size of the openings in the pockets duringthe travel of the rotor, the grade blocks being adjusted in step by steprelation to each other as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing, so that theopenings in the pockets at the uppermost portion of the wheel willgradually increase while the rotor is traveling by engaging therespective grade blocks, thereby permitting the discharge of thedifferent size 7 fruits received from the feed trough 29 through thepockets into the respective chutes 25, 26, 27 and 28 during thecontinued operation of the machine.

Each grade block has mounted therein friction rollers 41 adapted tocontact with the side wings 22 so as to minimize friction during theautomatic adjustment thereof when the rotor is in action.

In the rotation of the rotor the adjustable side and end wings 22 and23will move inwardly throughout the series of the pockets at the upperhalf of the rotor and to limit the swinging movement of the said seriesof wings there is provided a track 4-2, while the side and end wings 22and 23 of the series of pockets at the lower half of the rotor willswing outwardly and the limit of such movements is controlled throughthe stops 24, it being seen that the adjustable end wing 23 of eachpocket will engage said stop 2% and by'reason of the disposition of Ithe side wing 22 in the pocket it will fall against the side wing 23throughout the arc of movement at the lower half of the rotor, and inthis manner the extent of the openings in the pockets is regulated, thetrack 42 being designed to hold the adjustable side wings 22'at a properangle throughout the arc of movement at the upper half of the rotor forthe engagement of the said side wings 22 with the grade blocks 37, 38and 39 while the rotor is in action.

In the operation of the machine the fruits or vegetables to be assortedare placed within the feed trough 29 and such fruits or vegetablesaresuccessively fed in single file into the pockets in the rotor, whichis operated from the. foot treadle 3-1, and while this rotor is inaction the openings in the pockets at the uppermost portion of the wheelare varied by the action of the grade blocks 37, 38 and 39 acting uponthe side wings 22 of the pockets, so that the fruits or vegetablescontained in the pockets will be delivered therethroughaccording to theextent of the openings therein into the troughs 25, 26, 27 and 28,whence the assorted fruits or vegetables will be delivered onto agathering table or other support, the larger fruits or vegetables beingcarried by the rotor beyond the series of chutes heretofore mentionedand are delivered into the chute 35 in a manner hereinbefore described.It is to be understood that the lower end of the trough 29 extendsslightly below the uppermost end of the rotor so that the discharge endof the said trough will terminate contiguous to the path of movement ofthe cross bar 16 of said rotor whereby the fruit or vegetable leavingthe trough and entering the pocket in the rotor will be acted upon bysaid cross bar 16, causing it to roll toward the trough and therebvholdingthe succeeding vegetables or fruits in the trough back from therotor until the next pocket therein is brought into communication withthe trough, and. in this manner the vegetables or fruits aresuccessively delivered singly to the rotor for assortment.

In Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive there is shown a modified form of rotor whichcomprises spaced annular rims 4L3 and 4% respectively, which haveconnected thereto at intervals triangular shaped cross pieces 45, therim 413 being fixed to the outer ends of the spokes 46 in any suitablemanner, and upon these triangular shaped pieces 45 are securedfacingplates l7, whilesupported by the rim H are swinging wings 48, thesame being designed to move in the spaces 19 between the :tacmg plates47 so as to increase or decrease the size of each space 49 which isdesigned to serve as a pocket for receiving a inthe perimeter of therotor from the feed trough 29 in a like manner for delivering thevegetables or fruits from the sa1d trough to the rotor hereinbefore,described. Each wing 48 is formed with a finger 51 which limits theinward and upward swinging thereof, while the grade blocks limit thedownward and outward swinging movement of each of the said Wings 48 forincreasing the size of the pockets 49 in the perimeter of the rotor.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and manner ofoperation of the device will be clearly understood, and therefore a moreextended explanation has been omitted.

What is claimed is:--

1. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, a rotorjournaled therein, a series of automatically adjustable receiving anddischarge pockets arranged at the perimeter of the rotor, adjustablemeans for varying the discharge openings in the pools ets, a series ofchutes arranged above the axis of the rotor for receiving the assortedarticles discharged from the uppermost pockets of the rotor, a feedchute mounted in the frame and adapted for communication with thepockets at the uppermost point of the rotor, means for actuating therotor, and a trip means arranged in the path of the pockets at one sideof the series of chutes.

for discharging articles within the pockets and rotor after passing thesaid series of chutes.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, a rotorjournaled therein, a series of automatically adjustable receiving anddischarge pockets arranged at the perimeter of the rotor, adjustablemeans for varying the discharge openings in the pockets, a series ofchutes arranged above the axis of the rotor for receiving the as sortedarticles discharged from the uppermost pockets of the rotor, a feedchute mounted in the frame and adapted for communication with thepockets at the uppermost point of the rotor, means for actuating therotor, a trip means arranged in the path of the pockets at one side ofthe series of chutes for discharging articles within the pockets androtor after passing the said series of chutes, each of said pocketsincluding stationary and adjustable side and end wings, and means forlimiting the swinging movement of the adjustable side and end wings.

3. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, a rotorjournaled therein and having spaced rims and a series of intermediatepockets each provided with an adjustable side wing swingingly connectedto one of the rims, a plurality of adjustable blocks mounted in one sideof the frame and projected into the path of the wing to vary therelation thereof with respect to the re-, maining walls of the pocketsto increase or decrease the sizes of the pockets during the travel ofthe rotor, a series of chutes arranged above the axis of the rotor forre-, ceiving assorted articles discharged from the respective pockets inthe rotor, a feed chute disposed upon the frame for communication Withthe pockets at the uppermost point of the rotor, and a driving elementfrictionally engaging the other rim of the rotor for imparting rotationto the latter.

4. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, a rotorjournaled therein and having spaced rims and a series of intermediatepockets each provided With an adjustable side Wing sivingingly connectedto one of the rims, a plurality of adjustable blocks mounted in one sideof the frame and projected into the path of the Wing to vary therelation thereof with respect to the remaining Walls of the pockets toincrease or decrease the sizes of the pockets during the travel of therotor, a series of chutes arranged above the axis of the rotor forreceiving assorted articles discharged from the respective pocketsin therotor, a feed chute disposed upon the frame for communication With thepockets at the uppermost point of the rotor, a driving elementfrictionally engaging the other rim of the rotor for imparting rotationto the latter, a discharge chute projected from the frame at a pointslightly above the aXis of the rotor, and means supported by the frameand projected contiguous to the path of movement of the pockets in therotor for ejecting assorted articles therefrom.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES A. WooDs.

-Witnesses ROBERT A. MoYEs, FRANCIS F. WooDs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. C.

